Hi Reader,

Dyslexia Awareness Month is when I get asked some version of this question the most: "Should my child be using text-to-speech? Or is that just letting them avoid the hard work?"

I've answered this one in classrooms, in IEP meetings, and in parent conversations for over 25 years. Here's my honest answer.

ADHD & DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH: FAMILY CONNECTION

Dyslexia isn't about seeing letters backwards. It's about how the brain processes the sounds that letters represent. A child with dyslexia is working significantly harder than their peers just to decode the same sentence. That extra effort uses up brain resources that should be going toward comprehension, memory, and focus. That's not laziness. That's a real processing difference with a name.

One thing to try this week: if your child uses text-to-speech and you're not sure whether to keep it or pull it back, ask yourself one question first. Is this removing a barrier, or is it replacing a skill they're still building? The answer changes the plan.

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WORTH YOUR TIME

THIS WEEK ON THE CHANNEL Your Dyslexic Child Isn't "Below Grade Level": Here's the Full Picture "Below grade level" isn't the real headline for many children with dyslexia, and the full picture changes what you do next. In this video I explain what dyslexia actually is and what it isn't. I also cover what's happening in classrooms right now, and why the skills many dyslexic learners have been building all along matter more than ever. Watch the Video →

FROM THE BLOG Is Text-to-Speech Cheating? Why It's Actually Your Child's Glasses Not every child needs glasses, but denying them to the kids who do would be wrong. That's the analogy I use for text-to-speech, and it's the one that finally makes this conversation make sense for most parents. Inside: how to tell whether a tool is removing a barrier or replacing a skill, and how to read the research on this without a statistics degree. → READ NOW

JOIN US IN THE COMMUNITY WHEN YOUR CHILD READS OUT LOUD, WHAT DO YOU NOTICE MOST? Quick poll in the free community, about ten seconds to answer. What you notice when your child reads aloud tells me a lot about where to focus next, and you'll see you're not the only one noticing it. If you've used text-to-speech, come tell me what changed and what stayed hard. → VOTE NOW Not in yet? It's free. → JOIN NOW

ONE THING

Not every child needs glasses. But denying them to kids who do would be wrong. That's the analogy I use for assistive technology in reading, and it's the one that finally makes the text-to-speech conversation make sense for most parents.

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Text-to-speech is one tool in a reading plan. This one shows how to build the rest of the routine in pieces so it holds up on a hard night. "The reading routine that survives Tuesday night"

SHARE YOUR STORY

Has "storm mode" saved a homework night at your house yet?​
If naming the difference between full sail and storm mode has changed how a hard night goes, that's exactly the kind of story that helps the next parent.

💜 Kelly

P.S. The Family Learning Foundation Course is $27 through October 31. After that it goes to $47, and your price stays locked in.

Questions or thoughts? Hit reply. I read as many as I can.

​FAMILY LEARNING FOUNDATION COURSE ($27) OFFER ENDS: October 31st 11:59 p.m. CDT Regular price will be $47.

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